Fade
The Beat Strangler
Administrator
illest o.g.
Juice, who is perhaps the most renowned unsigned MC, has found his home on the CMC label. This highly prolific artist has received worldwide acclaim for his magnificent freestyle sessions. Juice has defeated some of the best emcees in the world - including the infamous Eminem and fellow Chicago rapper Common.
Holla Juice, it's a pleasure to meet you! How are you doing nowadays?
Chillin' - Just glad to have some product out in the stores, really.
What does your pen name - Juice - symbolize?
Well first and foremost, it symbolizes respect. It always has. Second, it symbolizes a warrior mentality that comes from being so deeply involved in the battle circuit.
How long have you been involved with music and writing? How did it all start for you?
I first performed at San Diego community college when I was like four or five. I would do impressions for my mom's theater group. I started writing rhymes at like 7 or 8, before I even knew I could freestyle. By 12 or 13, I was fairly fluent in both. Now they're both second nature.
You have recently released your debut album - 'All Bets Off'. Tell us about that.
Well, the album title is a play on my love for casinos, obviously. The artwork supports that theme. The title is also indicative of how the battle arena used to work. Once you get on stage, that's the point of no return. No more money can be picked up or laid down. In other words, "All Bets Off"
What are your main goals as an emcee? Do you only look to entertain your listeners, or do you also want to get them through a deeper experience?
Well I don't attempt to portray the extra conscious rapper. There are other emcees with whole careers based on that aesthetic. I point out a lot of day to day ironies with my music. The first goal is entertainment, but I try to stay away from preaching or being some self-proclaimed teacher like a KRS-One maybe. If the music touches people (even one person) in a deeper way, then it's all worth it. That's "just the proverbial icing on the cake".
Do you think your battle with Supernatural improved or hurt your career?
I think it helped my career just as losing to me had a positive effect on Eminem's career. The controversy some associate with the battle has propelled both of us into ultra-legendary status. It's very rare that two emcees as skilled as us face each other. A legendary battle was the only outcome possible.
Are you still battling?
I don't battle in organized battles too much anymore. At this point, I'd have to receive a lion's share of all door proceeds, an appearance fee, and a guaranteed prize for winning. I think I'm quite bored with the scene in general and I have nothing to prove at this point, after hundreds of victories. I'm going to start promoting battles soon though; it's just not always done right and with the best emcees possible. My name could attract the best rappers in the game.
Can you describe to us what it's like being on stage, battling another MC, going off the top of the dome?
It's scary as hell frankly. But freaks of nature like us battle emcees live for that pressure. There's a rush that comes with saying the hottest line at the right time, EVERY time. That's gangster shit. But that's how you become legendary.
Without giving away any secrets to potential opponents, do you look for weak spots in them and try to exploit that with your next rhyme? Or is that a common tactic that is used when battling?
I'm still the target of a lot of up and coming rappers who would just love to learn these tactics and use them against me. Everyone's got their own style. There's enough videotape of JUICE freestyling out there to know what to do.
What do you think is more important when battling - crowd reaction or just coming tight?
They're equal.
How do you come up with rhymes off the top of the dome??? Does it just come to you? Or is it from years of experience/practice?
I think a mastery of language and an incessant need to ruin someone else's self-esteem are the primary factors responsible for those on the spot punch-lines.
Any advice for anyone out there trying to get into the MC battle scene?
Have your best round(s) and say the hottest lines at the right time. If you score 60 in the first half and 2 points in the fourth quarter, and I score all 22 of my points in the fourth quarter, my points mean more than yours.
What do you think is missing in today's rap music?
Me. But it won't be that way for much longer.
Are there any artists (rappers, producers) that you would like to collab with one day?
I want to work with Jay-Z, Luda, and Missy on my next project. A Dre beat wouldn't be so bad either. And fuck it, call the Neptunes in with Hi-Tek, Just Blaze, and Battlecat, and I'm 5 times platinum. A song with Alicia Keys might do well too, huh?
Do you collect music? What's the kind of sound you prefer?
My CD and DVD collections are immense. I staunchly condemn the illegal download of music or movies, (though I can't front, I will watch or listen to a bootleg), I will NOT buy it though unless the people involved in making it get paid. Primarily, I listen to R&B, Hip-Hop, and Jazz, with Metal coming up fast on my list.
Describe us: How do usually write down your lyrics (mood-wise, manner-wise, and style-wise)? What is your creative process?
The creative process various from song to song. I try to look for situations that fit the mood I'm trying to write about. I tend to write more introspective stuff on gloomy or rainy days. I might right more triumphant songs on a sunny day, love songs on a hot day, etc.
Nature is the best mood inducer on Earth.
What are your main ambitions in life?
To find the next Juice and future Juices while their young and not burned out in the game. I want my label to be seen like Death Row, Bad Boy, No Limit or Aftermath. I want a strong stable of successful artists and a visible Midwest present. I want to embark on movies, clothing, and liquor endeavors. I want a Grammy (more than one would be fine). And finally, I want to write and produce music for other major label artists. Guess I better get started, huh?
Tell us a bit about your juvenility. Have you ever got yourself into any serious trouble?
Let's put it this way: With the amount of things I've been involved with as a young kid growing up in LA, it is a blessing to be alive and non-incarcerated. That's about all I can tell you on that one homie.
What equipment do you use? Where do you record? What is the recording process like?
Well my Head of Creative at the label and business partner Emmaculate has a bunch of equipment with funny ass names and purposes. Some of it makes funny noises. Some of it sounds like other instruments. Some of it makes drums. Look, I don't know what the hell all that stuff is. I just get the beat write it, and lay it down.
We have an internal quality control system where we always re-visit vocal takes and the production until we're satisfied it will compete in the commercial marketplace. Each song has its own little process. I hate it, but it ensures quality.
Have you ever tried to create beats? What is your beat-picking process? Are you familiar with the producers (on a personal level)? Do you record on top of beats, or do the producers work with ready accapellas?
I record over beats. Accapellas can make the song not as soulful if the verse wasn't written to the exact rhythm of the drum. It's not tempo with me, its rhythm. I have no interest in producing until I am known as a writer, in music industry circles. I don't know a lot of producers personally, outside of my city. One day I'll do what Red Hot Lover Tone (from Track Masters) did. It's just a matter of time.
Please share your thoughts concerning the following topics:
I write R & B/Rap/Hip-Hop music at present, all about equally well. I have no plans to go into New Age. (haha)
Please share your tips and tricks, for all the aspiring rappers out there.
Write every line like it's your last and understand how important publishing really is when you get old.
Any comments about all the recent beef in the rap game right now?
Hey, we all got killers on our side. Any nigga that come from the street got niggas that'll die for them. Hopefully, we don't lose any more rappers to this senseless ass shit. You got multi-millionaire black men trying to merk each other for a share of this bullshit ass rap market.
Man, when you have money, but you can't walk through the world alone, and enjoy it, then what the fuck is it really worth? Hopefully, all my fellow rap cats can keep this shit on wax, like I grew up doing. But hell, if somebody insulted me on wax and it got deeper than just rap, I'd probably be in the same position, so maybe I'm speaking out of turn.
Let's all just get money and I'm tired of all my favorite artists I wanna work with dying. Somebody post this answer on every message board in the world for me please.
If you were the interviewer; what would be the ultimate question you'd ask yourself?
Now be for real, you don't be coming COMPLETELY off the head, do you?
Word is bond, thanks and good luck!
Holla Juice, it's a pleasure to meet you! How are you doing nowadays?
Chillin' - Just glad to have some product out in the stores, really.
What does your pen name - Juice - symbolize?
Well first and foremost, it symbolizes respect. It always has. Second, it symbolizes a warrior mentality that comes from being so deeply involved in the battle circuit.
How long have you been involved with music and writing? How did it all start for you?
I first performed at San Diego community college when I was like four or five. I would do impressions for my mom's theater group. I started writing rhymes at like 7 or 8, before I even knew I could freestyle. By 12 or 13, I was fairly fluent in both. Now they're both second nature.
You have recently released your debut album - 'All Bets Off'. Tell us about that.
Well, the album title is a play on my love for casinos, obviously. The artwork supports that theme. The title is also indicative of how the battle arena used to work. Once you get on stage, that's the point of no return. No more money can be picked up or laid down. In other words, "All Bets Off"
What are your main goals as an emcee? Do you only look to entertain your listeners, or do you also want to get them through a deeper experience?
Well I don't attempt to portray the extra conscious rapper. There are other emcees with whole careers based on that aesthetic. I point out a lot of day to day ironies with my music. The first goal is entertainment, but I try to stay away from preaching or being some self-proclaimed teacher like a KRS-One maybe. If the music touches people (even one person) in a deeper way, then it's all worth it. That's "just the proverbial icing on the cake".
Do you think your battle with Supernatural improved or hurt your career?
I think it helped my career just as losing to me had a positive effect on Eminem's career. The controversy some associate with the battle has propelled both of us into ultra-legendary status. It's very rare that two emcees as skilled as us face each other. A legendary battle was the only outcome possible.
Are you still battling?
I don't battle in organized battles too much anymore. At this point, I'd have to receive a lion's share of all door proceeds, an appearance fee, and a guaranteed prize for winning. I think I'm quite bored with the scene in general and I have nothing to prove at this point, after hundreds of victories. I'm going to start promoting battles soon though; it's just not always done right and with the best emcees possible. My name could attract the best rappers in the game.
Can you describe to us what it's like being on stage, battling another MC, going off the top of the dome?
It's scary as hell frankly. But freaks of nature like us battle emcees live for that pressure. There's a rush that comes with saying the hottest line at the right time, EVERY time. That's gangster shit. But that's how you become legendary.
Without giving away any secrets to potential opponents, do you look for weak spots in them and try to exploit that with your next rhyme? Or is that a common tactic that is used when battling?
I'm still the target of a lot of up and coming rappers who would just love to learn these tactics and use them against me. Everyone's got their own style. There's enough videotape of JUICE freestyling out there to know what to do.
What do you think is more important when battling - crowd reaction or just coming tight?
They're equal.
How do you come up with rhymes off the top of the dome??? Does it just come to you? Or is it from years of experience/practice?
I think a mastery of language and an incessant need to ruin someone else's self-esteem are the primary factors responsible for those on the spot punch-lines.
Any advice for anyone out there trying to get into the MC battle scene?
Have your best round(s) and say the hottest lines at the right time. If you score 60 in the first half and 2 points in the fourth quarter, and I score all 22 of my points in the fourth quarter, my points mean more than yours.
What do you think is missing in today's rap music?
Me. But it won't be that way for much longer.
Are there any artists (rappers, producers) that you would like to collab with one day?
I want to work with Jay-Z, Luda, and Missy on my next project. A Dre beat wouldn't be so bad either. And fuck it, call the Neptunes in with Hi-Tek, Just Blaze, and Battlecat, and I'm 5 times platinum. A song with Alicia Keys might do well too, huh?
Do you collect music? What's the kind of sound you prefer?
My CD and DVD collections are immense. I staunchly condemn the illegal download of music or movies, (though I can't front, I will watch or listen to a bootleg), I will NOT buy it though unless the people involved in making it get paid. Primarily, I listen to R&B, Hip-Hop, and Jazz, with Metal coming up fast on my list.
Describe us: How do usually write down your lyrics (mood-wise, manner-wise, and style-wise)? What is your creative process?
The creative process various from song to song. I try to look for situations that fit the mood I'm trying to write about. I tend to write more introspective stuff on gloomy or rainy days. I might right more triumphant songs on a sunny day, love songs on a hot day, etc.
Nature is the best mood inducer on Earth.
What are your main ambitions in life?
To find the next Juice and future Juices while their young and not burned out in the game. I want my label to be seen like Death Row, Bad Boy, No Limit or Aftermath. I want a strong stable of successful artists and a visible Midwest present. I want to embark on movies, clothing, and liquor endeavors. I want a Grammy (more than one would be fine). And finally, I want to write and produce music for other major label artists. Guess I better get started, huh?
Tell us a bit about your juvenility. Have you ever got yourself into any serious trouble?
Let's put it this way: With the amount of things I've been involved with as a young kid growing up in LA, it is a blessing to be alive and non-incarcerated. That's about all I can tell you on that one homie.
What equipment do you use? Where do you record? What is the recording process like?
Well my Head of Creative at the label and business partner Emmaculate has a bunch of equipment with funny ass names and purposes. Some of it makes funny noises. Some of it sounds like other instruments. Some of it makes drums. Look, I don't know what the hell all that stuff is. I just get the beat write it, and lay it down.
We have an internal quality control system where we always re-visit vocal takes and the production until we're satisfied it will compete in the commercial marketplace. Each song has its own little process. I hate it, but it ensures quality.
Have you ever tried to create beats? What is your beat-picking process? Are you familiar with the producers (on a personal level)? Do you record on top of beats, or do the producers work with ready accapellas?
I record over beats. Accapellas can make the song not as soulful if the verse wasn't written to the exact rhythm of the drum. It's not tempo with me, its rhythm. I have no interest in producing until I am known as a writer, in music industry circles. I don't know a lot of producers personally, outside of my city. One day I'll do what Red Hot Lover Tone (from Track Masters) did. It's just a matter of time.
Please share your thoughts concerning the following topics:
- Bling Bling - Very necessary, unassuming and not gaudy.
- Freestyles - Incredible when they're authentic.
- Sampling - A quintessential component of Hip-Hop.
- Improvisation - Juice.
- Drugs - On occasion.
- Jazz - Miles Davis, not Kenny G.
- Turntablism - DJ Craze and Babu will serve ANYBODY.
- Heaven Vs. Hell - Independent Hip-Hop vs. the Rap Industry.
- God - Judging by the way I freestyle, he must know me directly.
- Family -The only thing that really matters at the end of the day.
- MTV - The station I'm going to be in rotation soon.
- Rape - Disgusting: Pay for it if you need it that bad.
- Weapons - You gotta keep one on you these days. I do.
- Terror - America hasn't even begun to know what it is yet.
- George W. Bush - A very powerful mouthpiece for an even more powerful movement. The best person to defend this country against a threat his administration created.
- Israel - Tragic. How can the holy land be that divided?
- The 'N' Word - Brown use it to deflect the pain it causes, others should stay away from it.
- IllMuzik - A necessary component of Hip-Hop culture, period.
- Literature - The only way to really know history.
- Poetry - Incredible, when it's not tainted by commercialism or poets who really wanna be rappers.
- Hip-Hop - A dying art.
I write R & B/Rap/Hip-Hop music at present, all about equally well. I have no plans to go into New Age. (haha)
Please share your tips and tricks, for all the aspiring rappers out there.
Write every line like it's your last and understand how important publishing really is when you get old.
Any comments about all the recent beef in the rap game right now?
Hey, we all got killers on our side. Any nigga that come from the street got niggas that'll die for them. Hopefully, we don't lose any more rappers to this senseless ass shit. You got multi-millionaire black men trying to merk each other for a share of this bullshit ass rap market.
Man, when you have money, but you can't walk through the world alone, and enjoy it, then what the fuck is it really worth? Hopefully, all my fellow rap cats can keep this shit on wax, like I grew up doing. But hell, if somebody insulted me on wax and it got deeper than just rap, I'd probably be in the same position, so maybe I'm speaking out of turn.
Let's all just get money and I'm tired of all my favorite artists I wanna work with dying. Somebody post this answer on every message board in the world for me please.
If you were the interviewer; what would be the ultimate question you'd ask yourself?
Now be for real, you don't be coming COMPLETELY off the head, do you?
Word is bond, thanks and good luck!